Marseille, France: Brazil will face the United States in the final of the Olympic women's soccer tournament on Tuesday after beating world champions Spain 4-2.
Gabi Portillio, Adriana and Caroline met in a thrilling semi-final at the Stade de Marseille after an Irene Paredes own goal put the double silver medalist ahead.
“It's a dream and dreams do come true,” said Crolin, whose goal just over 15 minutes into first stoppage time helped halt a late Spain fightback. “I'm really excited, really excited, really excited and I'm really, really, really impressed with my teammates.”
Victory means Brazil great Marta has the chance to end her glittering international career by challenging for gold after being suspended in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Marta, 38, has said that her sixth Olympics will be her last major tournament with the national team.
“We just knew what we had to do today, and today was a final for us,” said Angelina, who coached the Brazilian team. So, we were very determined and just came to win.”
Angelina said the Brazilian team should “celebrate a bit” but is quickly focusing on the final.
“It was a big win. Again, Spain are an amazing team and we knew that. So now we have to rest and we have to study a lot and see what we can do against America.
Spain will not have the chance in Paris to add to the Olympic gold they won last year at the World Cup and cement their place at the top of women's football.
But there's still plenty to play for at the Paris Games.
“We are fighting for something incredibly good and the Olympics will continue until the end,” said Spanish striker Jennifer Hermoso. It is also very difficult to win a bronze medal.
Paredes' own goal in the sixth minute put Brazil in control, and Portillo doubled the lead in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time.
Adriana's header in the 71st minute showed Brazil's superiority. But with victory seemingly assured, there was more drama to come.
Salma Paralluelo scored a goal for Spain with a header in the 85th minute, and almost immediately Alexia Putlas hit the post with a shot from outside the box.
Crolin made it 4-1 — with a shot through the legs of Spain goalkeeper Kata Cole.
Paraluello scored his second in the 12th minute of stoppage time, but by then it was too late for Spain to come back.
Brazil will face four-time champion USA Women's National Team in Saturday's final at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
Spain will face Germany in Lyon for the bronze medal.
Brazil has been beaten twice in the Olympic final by the United States – in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
They reached the final for the third time after overcoming a 2-0 loss against Spain in the group stage of the tournament.
It was a game that also saw Marta red-carded, with Brazil only hours before kick-off in the semi-final confirmed that their appeal against his ban had been rejected.
In the end, Brazil didn't need their best player in the situation and took a big step towards the final after a disastrous mix-up in Spain's back line when Cole – under pressure from Priscilla – tried to get past Paredes. to his own tour
Brazil dominated the chances – going through the net time and time again – and just before half-time they took the lead through Portillo, who slotted into the bottom corner from Yasmeem's cross.
Adriana made it 3-0 after seeing his initial effort hit the post from six yards before Portiliou headed it wide.
Spain, who came from 2-0 down in the quarter-finals to beat Colombia, gave their fans hope with Paraluello's header. But a second was nothing but consolation for Paralleluelu when Caroline put Brazil 4-1 up.
“We showed the world that we have a young team and a team with a very good tactical understanding, competitive and always will be – competitive,” Brazil coach Arthur Elias said. Brazil is a source of great pride in women's football.
